Christian Keeling Grad Transfer

[Tom79]

UNC Basketball reaches out to another graduate transfer
Fri Apr 5, 2019
Last week, the Tar Heels contacted two graduate transfers. UNC reached out to Rayjon Tucker and Daniel Utomi as they seek to replace production they will lose next season. You can now add another transfer to that list. According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, the Tar Heels talked with transfer Christian Keeling out of Charleston Southern on Friday. (Keeping It Heel)

 

[DaSheed]

I recently saw a short piece on Keeling. No basketball highlights, but I was impressed with him as a person. I can definitely see why Roy is interested. Tucker, Utomi and Keeling would be great additions.

 

[Sk1310]

Him and tucker would be amazing adds.

 

[GoNtheDistance]

Utomi is the best talent in that group. I’d love to have all 3. Tucker has talent but his free wheeling ability he’s had at LR won’t fly at UNC against quality talent.

 

[Spaceytoyz]

Just get 5 grads and finish middle of the pack, then start to focus on guys that are 50-100 ranked and build like UVA.. NO MORE wasted scholly's..

 

[jeans15]

Just get 5 grads and finish middle of the pack, then start to focus on guys that are 50-100 ranked and build like UVA.. NO MORE wasted scholly's..

Or we will do what we have done to be the top college basketball program since Roy has gotten here.

Virginia's results are a step down.

 

[Spaceytoyz]

Talking about this year and our recruiting for next season and the next, which I will tell you now will not be at UVA standards unless it picks up ..

 

[gteeitup]

can someone answer what the timeline is for a grad transfer to join a program?

 

[gauchoheel]

can someone answer what the timeline is for a grad transfer to join a program?

Well UK already added a guy, so they can commit any point now. As for when they start working with the team, I think Cam came to some of our summer practices two years ago.

 

[gteeitup]

Well UK already added a guy, so they can commit any point now. As for when they start working with the team, I think Cam came to some of our summer practices two years ago.

thanks!

 

[GoNtheDistance]

Just get 5 grads and finish middle of the pack, then start to focus on guys that are 50-100 ranked and build like UVA.. NO MORE wasted scholly's..

Agree. Worst thing to do is waste scholarships on kids who will put us behind the 8 ball for 4 years. See current sophomore class. They are the sole
Reason we continue to have to look very, very hard at grad transfers to provide stop gaps.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I think I read that one of these guys - Tucker maybe? - still has some coursework to finish over the summer to graduate. Presumably can't join our squad until then. Or can he?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Agree. Worst thing to do is waste scholarships on kids who will put us behind the 8 ball for 4 years. See current sophomore class. They are the sole
Reason we continue to have to look very, very hard at grad transfers to provide stop gaps.

Two of those 4 guys - Garrison and Andrew - are perfectly acceptable players. The other 2 are starting to look like lost causes, but maybe not.

Don't get me wrong. I agree we shouldn't get behind the curve on good 4-star players and then have to scramble in the tall weeds or go begging for grad transfers.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

What about junior college players?

 

[ChapelHeeled]

What about junior college players?

Why??

 

[Archer2]

I think I read that one of these guys - Tucker maybe? - still has some coursework to finish over the summer to graduate. Presumably can't join our squad until then. Or can he?

I believe you are correct. Still, I’m pretty confident that he comes to UNC.

What about junior college players?

They generally can’t get accepted.

We all know that the Felton situation threw our recruiting a curve ball. And then we have two OAD’s in the same year, one of which was unexpected and at the crucial PG spot as well. Combine that with a class that has been underwhelming to date and you arrive at our current situation.

I’ve said it more than once before, I would prefer that we concentrate on recruits in the 20-80 range. That’s our niche. Go after the best players in that range early and hard. If a top 20 recruit is a big UNC fan, by all means offer him. But concentrate on guys a shade less talented that will be around at least 2-3 years.

I’d feel a lot better if Francis hadn’t missed the last two years with serious knee issues, again a crucial PG issue. That’s why it’s key that Anthony matriculates to Chapel Hill. We’ve got Bacot coming in who I think will stay 3-4 years, at least two. And Sharpe is going to be a stud. But we need help at the wing spots, ergo the interest in grad transfers. I think we sign Tucker and possibly another.

If we do and we land Anthony, we’ll compete for the ACC title next year. If not, we’ll take a step back. But remember that Anthony has OAD written all over him so we’ll have to go after another PG because of the uncertainty surrounding Francis’ health. Gonna be walking a fine line at PG.

A lot of you were bemoaning our lack of OAD’s. Now comes one of the negatives associated with them, especially multiple OAD’s, recovering from a mass exodus. It’s a double edged sword, ergo my preference for slightly lower ranked players who will stay in school.

 

[Ozheelfan]

I believe you are correct. Still, I’m pretty confident that he comes to UNC.


They generally can’t get accepted.

We all know that the Felton situation threw our recruiting a curve ball. And then we have two OAD’s in the same year, one of which was unexpected and at the crucial PG spot as well. Combine that with a class that has been underwhelming to date and you arrive at our current situation.

I’ve said it more than once before, I would prefer that we concentrate on recruits in the 20-80 range. That’s our niche. Go after the best players in that range early and hard. If a top 20 recruit is a big UNC fan, by all means offer him. But concentrate on guys a shade less talented that will be around at least 2-3 years.

I’d feel a lot better if Francis hadn’t missed the last two years with serious knee issues, again a crucial PG issue. That’s why it’s key that Anthony matriculates to Chapel Hill. We’ve got Bacot coming in who I think will stay 3-4 years, at least two. And Sharpe is going to be a stud. But we need help at the wing spots, ergo the interest in grad transfers. I think we sign Tucker and possibly another.

If we do and we land Anthony, we’ll compete for the ACC title next year. If not, we’ll take a step back. But remember that Anthony has OAD written all over him so we’ll have to go after another PG because of the uncertainty surrounding Francis’ health. Gonna be walking a fine line at PG.

A lot of you were bemoaning our lack of OAD’s. Now comes one of the negatives associated with them, especially multiple OAD’s, recovering from a mass exodus. It’s a double edged sword, ergo my preference for slightly lower ranked players who will stay in school.

You make too much sense.

 

[Archer2]

You make too much sense.

I’ve learned to trust Roy. I don’t always agree with him but he’s the hardest worker in the game. If he spent a less time going after guys like Hurt, I think it would make things a little easier on him. And I want him around a few more years because I’m very worried about what will happen when he leaves.

 

[Ozheelfan]

I’ve learned to trust Roy. I don’t always agree with him but he’s the hardest worker in the game. If he spent a less time going after guys like Hurt, I think it would make things a little easier on him. And I want him around a few more years because I’m very worried about what will happen when he leaves.

I agree with you there Arch.

 

[RP12]

The tough thing about a year like this and next where you have so much open PT and need for freshman production is it increases the likelihood of a guy like Bacot going pro sooner and can snowball a bit.

 

[DSouthr]

I believe you are correct. Still, I’m pretty confident that he comes to UNC.


They generally can’t get accepted.

We all know that the Felton situation threw our recruiting a curve ball. And then we have two OAD’s in the same year, one of which was unexpected and at the crucial PG spot as well. Combine that with a class that has been underwhelming to date and you arrive at our current situation.

I’ve said it more than once before, I would prefer that we concentrate on recruits in the 20-80 range. That’s our niche. Go after the best players in that range early and hard. If a top 20 recruit is a big UNC fan, by all means offer him. But concentrate on guys a shade less talented that will be around at least 2-3 years.

I’d feel a lot better if Francis hadn’t missed the last two years with serious knee issues, again a crucial PG issue. That’s why it’s key that Anthony matriculates to Chapel Hill. We’ve got Bacot coming in who I think will stay 3-4 years, at least two. And Sharpe is going to be a stud. But we need help at the wing spots, ergo the interest in grad transfers. I think we sign Tucker and possibly another.

If we do and we land Anthony, we’ll compete for the ACC title next year. If not, we’ll take a step back. But remember that Anthony has OAD written all over him so we’ll have to go after another PG because of the uncertainty surrounding Francis’ health. Gonna be walking a fine line at PG.

A lot of you were bemoaning our lack of OAD’s. Now comes one of the negatives associated with them, especially multiple OAD’s, recovering from a mass exodus. It’s a double edged sword, ergo my preference for slightly lower ranked players who will stay in school.

Arch, when the 1&D does go away, those top 20-50 kids will be the new hot targets for college programs to seek. So placing focus on them now is not a terrible thought but those kids do not typically come in and really dominate right away.

Frances, we would all love to know where his heath stands, I am not expecting much (or anything really) next season from him but for the following season, for now at least, I do expect him to be able to play and once he gets his game legs back, which may take a while, I expect big things from the kid, feel had it not been for the knee issues that side tracked him for so long that he would have been a micky D level player. Still we would not just be losing Cole to 1&D but 7th as well so another PG in addition to Frances will be a need for the 2020 class.

The 1&D thing to me is like crack, ya may enjoy it in the beginning but you soon discover ending it is awful and it never was as much fun as you thought it was going to be and it becomes less fun as you use more.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Still we would not just be losing Cole to 1&D but 7th as well so another PG in addition to Frances will be a need for the 2020 class.

One advantage of getting a couple of these grad transfers - who are all wings - is that can free up Leaky at point if needed (such as if Cole dosn't come aboard).

I also think KJ is a perfectly competent backup PG.

But, yes, we need another PG in the 2020 class. We have 1 PG offer and 0 CG offers out. Why? Are we waiting to see if Cole will be OAD before we offer someone who might accept?

 

[gauchoheel]

One advantage of getting a couple of these grad transfers - who are all wings - is that can free up Leaky at point if needed (such as if Cole dosn't come aboard).

I also think KJ is a perfectly competent backup PG.

But, yes, we need another PG in the 2020 class. We have 1 PG offer and 0 CG offers out. Why? Are we waiting to see if Cole will be OAD before we offer someone who might accept?

That would be pretty silly. Think more likely is we are just targeting very narrowly, looking to see if we can get our guy before expanding the net. Helps you get the best players, but can backfire when only pursuing the one guy too long.

 

[gauchoheel]

Would love to get two grad transfers. We would still have room to take both Cole and Precious.

 

[DeuceManJones]

I think some are getting out over their skis when it comes to grad transfers. Cam Johnson was the exception for many reasons. He’s highly intelligent, already played in a major conference and had 2 years of eligibility.

For instance, if he only had one year at Carolina, then what would his legacy be? Solid contributor on a solid team in ‘17-18, but not much else.

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to these transfers. Granted they are older, but can they adopt Roy’s system over a few months and be ready to contribute come November? Joe Cremo was the hot grad transfer at this time last year and seemed perfect for Nova on paper, but simply wasn’t on the court.

In some ways it may be harder for them to adopt a new style after getting used to college ball at a different school. There are bad habits to break and the possibility of unforeseen issues (Cam’s hip).

Lastly, will these guys be willing to take a back seat to their new, more talented teammates after dominating on lesser teams? Will Tucker be content with cutting his PPG average in half? We just don’t know. I trust the coaching staff to vet these players properly, but they don’t have years to get to know these kids like they do with high school recruits. The clock is ticking and more desperate schools (*cough* State *cough*) won’t be as scrupulous.

Listen, I hope the guys we’re looking at are all great kids and willing contributors. If that’s the case - despite my stated trepidation - I would ironically love to bring in at least two (and possibly three if Precious doesn’t commit). That way, the odds of one of them being a hit goes up.

 

[Spaceytoyz]

Well he was 1st team all ACC not going to get that again... That's why the concern is huge 3 first team and 2nd all ACC guys and the Number 3 recruit in the nation only won 2 games in the NCAA tourney, but some think we will make the tourney with what's left? Don't fool yourselves it's going to take a rabbit out of the hat routine to pull this off... Roy has done it before hope he can again..

 

[Sk1310]

Would love to get two grad transfers. We would still have room to take both Cole and Precious.

If we could land keeling, utomi/tucker and Cole Anthony. That's a final 4 team. Adding precious would be gravy.

 

[ChapelHeeled]

If we could land keeling, utomi/tucker and Cole Anthony. That's a final 4 team. Adding precious would be gravy.

We need 4 starters to be replaced. Still waiting to see this unfold...

 

[ajklum]

The tough thing about a year like this and next where you have so much open PT and need for freshman production is it increases the likelihood of a guy like Bacot going pro sooner and can snowball a bit.

After watching Bacot against High School talent...I see him being here at least 2-3 years. Lateral quickness and bounce is lacking for NBA. Straight line speed is enough to run at UNC but got beat a lot of defense in the two games this weekend. Yes his team won the national championship, but he wasnt the catalyst that got them there. He was a cog in the wheel. But ... He wasnt one of the top 3 on his own team and wasnt in the top 5 on the floor with the others teams players added in. Springer should be on UNC's list. Kid was strong all weekend. I though he was the best player on the floor to include Cole Anthony.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I think some are getting out over their skis when it comes to grad transfers. Cam Johnson was the exception for many reasons. He’s highly intelligent, already played in a major conference and had 2 years of eligibility.

I agree. He was good for us in his first year, but really bloomed this season. Partly health, but a big part of that was knowing our system.

If I'm a hotshot grad transfer, I don't have 2 years to learn Roy's system. That has to factor into my decision.

Reid Travis did well at UK coming from a system that I assume is similar to ours. A shame he didn't come to UNC. But what it showed to potential grad transfers is that they can do well in their 1 year at UK. Which may be why the Bucknell kid pulled the trigger quickly for UK.

The sooner these grad transfers get on campus the better. Extra practice time. But with the restrictions on coaching input over the summer, it's still a steeper learning curve at UNC than at some schools. At least that's my impression.

 

[ChapelHeeled]

I agree. He was good for us in his first year, but really bloomed this season. Partly health, but a big part of that was knowing our system.

If I'm a hotshot grad transfer, I don't have 2 years to learn Roy's system. That has to factor into my decision.

Reid Travis did well at UK coming from a system that I assume is similar to ours. A shame he didn't come to UNC. But what it showed to potential grad transfers is that they can do well in their 1 year at UK. Which may be why the Bucknell kid pulled the trigger quickly for UK.

The sooner these grad transfers get on campus the better. Extra practice time. But with the restrictions on coaching input over the summer, it's still a steeper learning curve at UNC than at some schools. At least that's my impression.

So you think that the UNC system is too hard for experienced college players? If you actually knew the system, you would not feel that way. UNC lost 4 (4) starters and their sixth man. That equates to losing 5 out of our top six (5). There is playing time available everywhere. The bright lights will always be glowing. Roy Williams may indeed still get back to a Final Four next year. It is about that time...

 

[KU4LIFE]

Just get 5 grads and finish middle of the pack, then start to focus on guys that are 50-100 ranked and build like UVA.. NO MORE wasted scholly's..

Sounds like many many Kansas fans I know.

 

[Steat]

I’ve learned to trust Roy. I don’t always agree with him but he’s the hardest worker in the game. If he spent a less time going after guys like Hurt, I think it would make things a little easier on him. And I want him around a few more years because I’m very worried about what will happen when he leaves.

Good comments, especially as it pertains to Hurt. The kid is set on being a 3 and he is a 4. K-Rat has told him that he is a rock solid 3 and has a guaranteed starting position next season.

 

[DeuceManJones]

So you think that the UNC system is too hard for experienced college players? If you actually knew the system, you would not feel that way. UNC lost 4 (4) starters and their sixth man. That equates to losing 5 out of our top six (5). There is playing time available everywhere. The bright lights will always be glowing. Roy Williams may indeed still get back to a Final Four next year. It is about that time...

Personally, I’m not saying it’s “too hard,” but (a) it’s certainly not easy and (b) it *could* be harder for a player who’s been in a different system over the past few years.

Granted, it helps that they’re older and hopefully more mature. I’m just saying we’re not dealing with a plug-and-place system. With the exception of Tucker (somewhat) since he’s local, we hardly know anything about these guys.

How many people reading this knew who Daniel Utomi was a month ago? I hope we all know about him exactly 52 weeks from tonight, but there is so much oversimplified presumption about these guys going on.

 

[Sk1310]

Roy and staff to meet with Keeling next week

 

[jah420]

Keeling tweet from an hour ago.

 

[Leah D]

Excellent. Looks like a good prospect!

 

[DeuceManJones]

Keeling tweet from an hour ago.

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Seems like we’ll be seeing him next season, one way or the other ...